Since September 2001 failure to comply with these regs means a £30 fixed penalty fine.

Vehicles registered before January 1, 1973 can continue with the old black and white number plates but those registered from that date to August 2001 must comply with the British standard with a reflective plate - black and white at the front and black and yellow at the back. All characters and figures must be of the prescribed font.

However, vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1973 may choose to display an old style number plate, irrespective of the date of first registration.

All vehicles registered on or after September l will bear the new format which gives details of where the vehicle is first registered, age identifiers and three random letters. New and replacement plates must also carry the name/trademark of the maker and the name/postcode of the supplying outlet.

A second important change is that the registration letters and numbers must be in a specific typeface, e.g. no italics and nothing can be added to the plate other than what is specified in the British standard. This includes the siting of the bolt or screw fixing and no coatings can be added to the plate that might otherwise make the characters less easily distinguishable.

Important information for motorcyclists: As of September 1, no motorcycles registered after January 1, 1973 can have single row registration plates - they will become illegal. They must be replaced with the new two tier plate. Each bike must have a rear plate, with an optional front plate if first registered before September 1, 2001, no front plate permitted after that date.

Further information about the new legislation can be obtained from the DVLA or local police road policing units.

Inspector Noorman Crabb, Central Road Policing Unit said: "This new legislation will ensure that we are able to identify vehicles who are breaking the law or involved in accidents. It is to protect the innocent motorist and other road users from the small minority who think they can commit crime and get away with it."

The new British standard will require a number plate to be marked with:
The number of the British Standard (from 1 September 2001 this will be BS AU 145d).
The name, trade mark (or other means of identification) of the maker.
Name and postcode of the supplying outlet.